Black Music Month - Listens, Watches & Reads

 Perhaps no music has had as profound and powerful an impact in shaping America’s musical score as Black music.  Intricately woven into the tapestry of our Nation, Black music enriches our lives and pushes the boundaries of creativity.  Throughout the decades and across the country, Black music has fueled a myriad of genres — from rhythm and blues to jazz, gospel, country, rap and more.  This month, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Black music on American culture and recognize the indelible impact it continues to have on the world.  - A Proclamation on Black Music Appreciation Month, 2022

During Black Music Appreciation Month, we honor Black musicians, singers, and contributors to the music industry — past and present. Its origins began in June 1979 when President Jimmy Carter hosted a celebration for Black musicians on the White House lawn. Also known as African-American Music Appreciation Month, the celebration was formally recognized as a national, monthlong observance in 2000.